Workplace health threats bring with them the risk of occupational diseases and work accidents [1-4]. The
aim of this study was to describe the main health threats emerging from working conditions in the Podlasie
region and to compare these outcomes with the overall situation in Poland.
This paper describes the analysis of the structure of occupational diseases and accidents in Podlasie.
The analysis was performed based on the data gathered by the Main Statistical Office (GUS), National Labour
Inspectorate (PIP) and Regional Labour Inspectorate in Białystok (OIP), Podlasie Voivodship Labour
Medicine Centre (PWOMP) and Voivodship Sanitary Inspectorate in Białystok (WSSE). Furthermore, a
review of legal acts and literature has been performed.
The results indicate that the main group of occupational diseases in Podlasie is contagious and parasitic
diseases, among them borreliosis (over 70%). In Poland the main problem is long-term glottis disease, emerging
from repeated speaking of teachers. It was the result of lack of medical and educational prophylaxis concerning
voice emission. The highest number of occupational accidents in 2005 in Podlasie region was
observed in trade – similar to Poland overall. Observed occupational accidents were related with workers with
the shortest work experience (less than 1 year) – about 30% of victims.
The following conclusions were drawn based on the above-mentioned results:
1. The biggest problem in Podlasie is the presence of contagious and parasitic diseases; the high borreliosis
incidences which belong to this group are related to farmers and foresters.
2. The main cause of occupational diseases in Podlasie region was workers’ misbehaviour.
Trade workers were the main group of occupational accident victims in Podlasie. Most often the least
experienced workers were injured.